diff --git a/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher.rb b/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher.rb
index eaef3fcd..e4adb722 100644
--- a/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher.rb
+++ b/lib/shoulda/matchers/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher.rb
@@ -47,13 +47,17 @@ module Shoulda # :nodoc:
         end
 
         def collection?
-          if @subject.class.respond_to?(:reflect_on_association) &&
-              reflection = @subject.class.reflect_on_association(@attribute)
+          if reflection
             [:has_many, :has_and_belongs_to_many].include?(reflection.macro)
           else
             false
           end
         end
+
+        def reflection
+          @subject.class.respond_to?(:reflect_on_association) &&
+            @subject.class.reflect_on_association(@attribute)
+        end
       end
 
     end
diff --git a/spec/shoulda/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher_spec.rb b/spec/shoulda/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher_spec.rb
index ceb16c97..de45106c 100644
--- a/spec/shoulda/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/shoulda/active_model/validate_presence_of_matcher_spec.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 require 'spec_helper'
 
 describe Shoulda::Matchers::ActiveModel::ValidatePresenceOfMatcher do
-
   context "a required attribute" do
     before do
       define_model :example, :attr => :string do